Autostereoscopic three-dimensional campfire display

Abstract

A system for generating a centrally located floating three-dimensional image display for a plurality of passengers positioned within a vehicle includes a plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays, one autostereoscopic three-dimensional display individually associated with each one of the plurality of passengers, and a controller in communication with each of the plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays and adapted to cause each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays to display a three-dimensional image to the associated one of the plurality of passengers, wherein, each of the plurality of passengers perceives the three-dimensional image floating at a central location within the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for generating a centrally located floating three-dimensional image display for a plurality of passengers positioned within a vehicle, comprising:
 a plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays, one autostereoscopic three-dimensional display individually associated with each one of the plurality of passengers; and 
 a controller in communication with each of the plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays and adapted to cause each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays to display a three-dimensional image with variable virtual image distance to the associated one of the plurality of passengers, wherein, each of the plurality of passengers perceives the three-dimensional image floating at a central location within the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic three-dimensional displays comprises a display panel and a parallax barrier mounted to the display panel, on a side of the display panel facing the associated one of the plurality of passengers. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the display panel of each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is a transparent display. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the display panel of each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is a transparent organic light emitting diode. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the parallax barrier mounted onto each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays comprises a plurality of parallel, vertical apertures, wherein the parallax barrier is adapted to divide the image displayed such that a left eye and a right eye of a passenger viewing the autostereoscopic display see different portions of the display and the passenger perceives a three-dimensional image. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is equipped with eye tracking capability, wherein, for each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays, the controller is configured to position the parallax barrier relative to the displayed image based on the position and orientation of eyes of the associated passenger, and to change the position of the parallax barrier automatically in response to movement of the eyes of the associated passenger. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the parallax barrier mounted onto each one of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is selectively actuatable by the controller. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the parallax barrier comprises a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to cause each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays to display one of:
 a different perspective of a three-dimensional object, wherein each passenger perceives a different perspective of the same three-dimensional object; 
 a different three-dimensional object, wherein each passenger perceives a different three-dimensional object; and 
 the same three-dimensional object, wherein each passenger perceives the same perspective of the same three-dimensional object. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is supported from one of a roof of the vehicle, a floor of the vehicle, and an armrest within the vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 5 , wherein an orientation of each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is one of fixed and adjustable. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays is equipped with head tracking capability, wherein an orientation of each of the plurality of autostereoscopic displays changes automatically in response to movement of a head of the associated one of the plurality of passengers.